Dallas Skyline linebacker Corey Nelson was a hit almost from the first time he put on a Raider uniform as a sophomore. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Nelson earned All-State honors as a first-time starter at defensive end with 75 tackles and 12 sacks. However, Skyline coaches thought that his speed would better be utilized at outside linebacker and asked him to move there prior to spring practices last year.

Despite his success as a defensive lineman and knowing the difficulties associated with such a move, Nelson accepted the position change and went to work in the offseason. He got faster by running track and also participated in seven-on-seven tournaments during the summer.

All of the hard work paid off for Nelson and his team this past season. Skyline went 11-2 on the season before losing to Round Rock Stony Point in the playoffs and Nelson again acquired All-State honors by ringing up some impressive numbers - 156 tackles, 12 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and nine blocked punts.

Nelson's breakthrough sophomore season meant that colleges have had their eyes on him for some time. He received an offer from Texas A&M prior to signing day 2007 and since acquired offers from Florida, Kansas, LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Texas Tech and UCLA. Now, the recruiting process finally begins in earnest for Nelson. He's been invited to a couple of junior days in the coming weeks and hopes to receive an invitation to more.